D. R. “Russ” Buehler, 91, of Sioux Falls, died Oct. 27, 2019.

Remembrance services will be held at Dow Rummel Village Halladay-Peterson Chapel on Thursday, Oct. 31, at 10:30 a.m. 

Russ Buehler was born on Feb. 3, 1928, at Pocatello, Idaho to Richard and Della Buehler. He attended schools at Pocatello. In October of 1943, at age 15, he entered the U.S. Navy, serving aboard ships in the South Pacific and Alaska. Two months after his 18th birthday, the Navy honorably discharged him in April 1946. Russ began a career in the farm equipment field beginning in 1947 with Allis Chalmers. He moved his family many times, living in Montana, Wyoming, California and South Dakota.

Russ married JoAnn Wheeldon in Pocatello in 1947, and by September 1952, they had three children: John Russell, Barry Richard and Robert Jay. During their 40 years of marriage, Russ and JoAnn enjoyed the small-town atmosphere that Brookings offered to raise their three boys. They owned and operated the Charm Beauty Salon. They were members of the Elks Club, The Country Club, and Bridge Club. Russ and JoAnn traveled around the state supporting the Brookings High School sporting teams including football, basketball and baseball. They both enjoyed pheasant hunting and fishing.

He married Phyllis Senska, of Forestburg, in 1987 in Sioux Falls. Upon retirement, they purchased a winter home in Tucson, Ariz., and spent the winters there from 1992 to 2013. During their 30 years of marriage, they traveled extensively.

Russ is survived by his three children, Jack, Barry and Bob; and Phyllis’ children, Wanda (Dale) Swenson, Gwen Senska, Cullen Senska and Neil (Jeri) Senska.